6 Tottenham Hotspur Youngsters Who Could See First-Team Action in 2016/17

Not so long ago, Tottenham's academy was far from a source of pride. 

For the better part of a decade, Ledley King was the most recent graduate to have earned a regular first-team place. 

Today things look remarkably different as a number of Mauricio Pochettino's Champions League qualifiers spent a good part of their formative years in Spurs' development system. 

Harry Kane, Ryan Mason, Tom Carroll and Nabil Bentaleb are all rightfully considered Tottenham academy graduates, while Danny Rose and Alex Pritchard joined in their mid-teens. 

The idea of a first team full of locally developed players is a romantic one but not entirely realistic in a modern setting, although Spurs are doing a better job than most. 

There are many players in the youth ranks ready to step forward in the coming seasons and, with Pochettino's well-earned reputation for trusting young players, Tottenham can be expected to lean on their academy. 

Josh Onomah almost doesn't deserve to be on this list given that he is virtually a first-teamer already. He played for the senior side 19 times last season and was Spurs' best player in the 3-0 away defeat to Borussia Dortmund that sealed their Europa League exit. 

Versatile, skillful and creative, Onomah is certain to feature again next season as he pushes for a regular place in the attacking line behind the striker. However, Spurs' Champions League involvement could see him restricted to more of a cameo role. 

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Harry Winks is another already regularly included in the senior squad. 

While the diminutive midfielder only made two short appearances in the last campaign, he has probably moved ahead of Carroll in the pecking order. 

Now 20, the coming season should be a definitive one for Winks. Competition for a place in Pochettino's midfield two will be fierce, but Winks has the quality to carry the ball forward in imitation of Mousa Dembele. 

Beyond those who have tentatively entered the senior playing group, there are a number of exciting youngsters awaiting their opportunity.

The double-barrelled defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Kyle Walker-Peters are the most likely to make the jump next season. 

Carter-Vickers is already a United States youth international and was mentioned by Pochettino as an option when Jan Vertonghen was injured earlier this year. 

Only 18 but already physically mature, he is the natural understudy for Toby Alderweireld and should see a handful of opportunities in the coming season.

Tottenham's squad is replete with options at right-back with Kieran Trippier and DeAndre Yedlin available as back-up for first-choice Kyle Walker, but Walker-Peters may yet get a chance. 

Spurs' priority is likely to be finding him first-team action somewhere and a loan with Roda was considered last season, but if Walker-Peters impresses in pre-season, it may convince Pochettino to move on from both Yedlin and Trippier and promote the academy star. 

Tottenham's squad is weakest at centre-forward. 

While Harry Kane is the division's finest pure striker, there are few other options. 

Spurs are almost certain to bring in at least one new forward in the summer, but Shayon Harrison and Kazaiah Sterling could also be drafted into the first team. 

Harrison is a pacy left-footed forward who has occasionally played in a wide role during a prolific under-21 Premier League career so far. 

In the last three seasons, he has scored more than 50 goals across various youth competitions and tournaments. 

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Sterling is a year younger than Harrison and, realistically, next season will probably come too soon for him. 

A regular England youth international, Harrison often plays above his age level as Spurs seek to refine his talent and constantly test him. 

Both Harrison and Sterling were identified by Pochettino as potential understudies for Kane last season and should get their chance to shine in the coming pre-season. 

Kane's central role in England's 2016 UEFA European Championship campaign will mean minimal involvement in Spurs' warm-up matches. 

The International Champions Cup, a pre-season tournament being held in Australia, pits Tottenham against Juventus and Atletico Madrid and provides an excellent opportunity for Sterling and Harrison to show their quality. 

Nathan Oduwa, Will Miller, Connor Ogilvie, Dom Ball and Marcus Edwards are all familiar young stars for most Spurs fans but none are likely to break into the senior team in the coming season.